Downgrade from SQL Server

[Jeff_WP]

Hi all,

We're currently using SQL Server 2019 and Lansweeper may end up being the last SQL database we need. I see posts for upgrading from a free version to SQL Server, but nothing about downgrading. I would think it's possible to downgrade to SQL Server Express, but can someone confirm? We have a single scan server with a 2.2 GB database. 

Thanks in advance!

[DavidPK]

Hi Jeff,

SQL is not Lansweeper specific so we do not offer instructions on how to perform this or even if its possible. 

• Edition Compatibility: SQL Server 2019 is a full-fledged edition with more features than SQL Server 2022 Express. Express is a free, limited-functionality edition.
   
• Database Compatibility: While SQL Server 2022 Express can generally read databases created in older versions, direct migration from a full edition like 2019 might encounter compatibility issues.

You could try and see if it is possible by following the steps below:  Maybe try this in a test environment first.  

Backup your SQL Server 2019 database:

• Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
• Right-click your database, select Tasks > Back Up....
• Choose the backup type (Full) and destination, then click OK to create the backup.

Install SQL Server Express 2022 on your target machine if it's not already installed suing the Lansweeper installer.

Restore the database to SQL Server Express 2022:

• Open SSMS and connect to your SQL Server Express 2022 instance.
• Right-click Databases, select Restore Database....
• Choose the backup file you created earlier and follow the prompts to restore it.

Update connection strings in your applications to point to the new SQL Server Express instance.

For detailed instructions specific to Lansweeper, you can refer to their community post on moving databases. 

https://community.lansweeper.com/t5/lansweeper-maintenance/move-your-sql-server-database-to-a-differ...